Honoring Randy Riley’s life and legacy in libraries

State Librarian of Michigan Randy Riley, an alumnus of the University of Michigan School of Information, died Saturday, Jan. 3, at 63.

Throughout his 36-year career in libraries, Riley remained dedicated to a profession that, above all, serves people. 

Riley earned his Master of Information and Library Studies from UMSI in 1989 and joined the Library of Michigan the same year. He held several positions, including reference librarian and head of special collections, before becoming state librarian in 2014. In 2010, Riley was honored with the Filby Award, recognizing him as the leading family history librarian in the U.S.

Known for his strong leadership, collaboration, calm approach and sense of humor, Riley’s contributions touched the work and lives of hundreds of colleagues across the state. For more than a decade as state librarian, he advocated for libraries across Michigan, and for making sure information is accessible to everyone.

UMSI clinical professor of information Kristin Fontichiaro worked with Riley and his team on several projects designed to build the capacity of public library leadership, including the Post-Pandemic Public Library Project, an 18-month initiative to help library directors reconnect with their communities after COVID. 

“Randy had a constant mantra: libraries must impact their communities today, not rest on past laurels,” Fontichiaro says. “Yes, he had deep and abiding care for libraries and librarians. But more importantly, he cared about what libraries and librarians could do to create value and impact for the citizens of Michigan. 

“His intuition showed at numerous conferences and meetings. He always knew what librarians were worried about, what opportunities they were reaching for, and what they wanted for their communities. His empathy translated into initiatives ranging from statewide interlibrary loan to behind-the-scenes professional development to support for library initiatives throughout Michigan.” 

In 2023, he served on the advisory board for UMSI’s Civic Librarian Project, an open-access course that encourages librarians to work with residents and local governments on civic solutions. 

“We have plenty of librarians that love books. We now need more librarians that love people,” Riley told UMSI in 2024. “Outreach is crucial to a library’s success. Building the necessary skill set that better positions librarians to have meaningful and productive conversations with individuals from across the community is more important than ever.” 

His career reflected that belief in outreach. Though he often signed his emails simply with a lowercase "r," Riley’s name figured prominently in Michigan’s libraries, and his legacy lives on in the communities they serve.

He is survived by his wife, Lori, their two children and his dog.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m., at the Michigan Library and Historical Center Forum in Lansing. Friends, colleagues and former classmates of Riley can share memories with his family and make contributions to the Randy Riley Memorial Fund through the Library of Michigan Foundation.